Voting By Mail Or In Person: Take The Virginia Patch Survey

VIRGINIA — Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some voters are turning to mail-in ballots to participate in the November election. New Virginia legislation allows no-excuse absentee voting beginning 45 days before Election Day.

In Virginia, voters may have already submitted applications and will begin receiving them on Sept. 18. In-person absentee voting will start on Sept. 18 at local registrars' offices. The deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail is Oct. 23, and the deadline to return an absentee ballot by mail is 12 p.m. on Election Day (Nov. 3), and 7 p.m. on Nov. 3 by hand.

As more Americans are expected to vote by mail because of the pandemic, the U.S. Post Office has been in the spotlight for mail delay concerns amid recent operational changes. After public outcry, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy said the operational changes are paused until at least after the election. According to NPR, that means post office hours won't be altered, mail processing facilities won't be closed, and existing mail processing equipment and collection boxes will stay. DeJoy promised that post offices will be ready to handle the anticipated influx of election mail.

Patch wants to hear from readers about their thoughts on voting in the upcoming election. The survey is not meant to be a scientific poll, with random sampling and margins of error, but is meant only to gauge the sentiments of our readers in an informal way.

Take our quick survey below or click here. A results story will be shared after the survey closes at 12 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 24. Thanks in advance for participating.